ACCESS

NVIATS

offers a variety of programs to provide participants with:

Job readiness skills
Industry certification
Ongoing coaching and support
Opportunities for community partnerships
Funding assistance for training
Clothing and safety gear
Life skills and successful tenancy training
Wage subsidy opportunities

Bladerunners

Bladerunners is an award-winning employment program that is recognized both nationally and internationally. Training may focus on construction, forestry, and health and safety services. The Bladerunners program provides job readiness skills and industry certification, as well as ongoing job search support and mentoring. Those who complete the program may be eligible to receive required safety gear free of charge!

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to participate in the Bladerunners program you must:
- Be between the ages of 17 to 30
- Unemployed or Under-employed
- Not in receipt of Employment Insurance Benefits
Dependent on your employment goals, NVIATS Bladerunners Program can provide some or all of the following:

Job Readiness Skills
- Job Search Strategies
- Essential Skills
- Career Exploration
- Goal Setting
- Workplace communications
- Resume & Cover Letters
- Interview Practice
- Time Management
- Budgeting & Finance
- Social Media Practices
Industry Certification:
- Occupational First Aid
- WHMIS
- Fall Protection
- H2S Alive
- Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
- Arial Lift Training
What to Expect:
- As a BladeRunner, you will participate in 2 weeks of skills enhancement training;
- The BladeRunners Job Coach will provide on-going supported job search and mentoring;
- Once you have secured a job, you will be eligible to receive required safety gear;
- You may qualify for enhanced training to support your employment goal;
- Continued support through the BladeRunners Program

Community Partnership Program

NVIATS supports partnerships that provide trainees with valuable skills leading to meaingiful employment within our communities. Under the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program, there are 3 pillars that NVIATS will focus on:

demand-driven skills development
partnerships
accountability for improved results

Fresh Start Program

Fresh Start is a five-month program, with the first eight weeks being held in a classroom setting for five days a week, six hours per day. Clients get paid minimum wage for attending the class while gaining essential life skills and new employability expertise, while receiving certificate training.

Fresh Start facilitators then place clients into a 12-week, paid work experience arrangement with local employers, during which they provide ongoing job search support, coaching and mentoring.

Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Fresh Start program, you must be a youth between the ages of 15-30, not currently on Employment Insurance, unemployed and facing a barrier to employment.

Life skills and Employability Skills include, but not limited to:
- Budgeting & Finance
- Time Management
- Career Decision Making
- Interview Skills
- Personal Planning
- Resume & Cover Letters
- Self Awareness
Industry Certification includes, but is not limited to:
- Occupational First Aid
- WHMIS
- Food Safe
- Customer Service
- Class 7 learner’s licence
- Serving it Right
- Ready to Rent- Rent Smart

Ready for Work

The NVIATS Ready for Work Program provides eligible First Nation clients funding for safety gear or work clothing they need to be properly equipped for employment. Eligible clients can seek funding assistance from NVIATS Ready for Work Program for qualified offers of employment in any industry requiring special clothing, equipment or gear.

Eligibility Requirements
Any NVIATS client of First Nation descent, status or non-status, on or off reserve, who resides in the region between Cumberland and Port Hardy / Alert Bay, Powell River and the surrounding mainland area, is eligible to receive funding assistance under the NVIATS Ready for Work Program.

To be eligible for funding assistance under NVIATS Ready for Work Program:
- A client must have a confirmed written job offer from an employer;
- The written offer of employment must be for a minimum of 15 hours per week and no shorter than three months in duration;
- Safety gear and clothing must be commonly recognized as necessary for the industry in which the client will be working; and
- The client must provide two written quotes for the equipment and/or clothing from recognized merchants. The less expensive of the two quotes will be chosen.
Gear up – you’re Ready for Work!

Rent Smart

The Rent Smart course helps participants gain skills and tools to support common understanding and manage expectations between landlords and tenants to reduce confusion and conflict. Successful tenancies are key to housing stability, prevention of homelessness, and strong communities.

Learn More

Summer Student Program

The NVIATS Summer Student Program provides funding to help Bands, Organizations, and Employers create summer job opportunities for students. It is designed to focus on local priorities while helping both students and their communities. This program provides work experiences supporting Bands, organizations, and employers, including those who provide important community services. It recognizes that local circumstances, community needs and priorities vary widely.

Wage Subsidy Program

This program assists employers in offsetting the costs of developing a new employee’s skills and level of productivity, and offers employers the unique opportunity to develop the employee’s skills on the job to meet their specific business needs. Wage subsidies within this program are negotiated, and range from 40% to 60% of wages for up to three months. The amount and length of the wage subsidy is dependent on the skills that will be developed on the job, as well as the skills the candidate brings to the job.

Eligibility Requirements
- The candidate must receive a minimum of 30 hours per week of paid, ongoing employment;
- The position must be long-term and continue after the subsidy ends, if possible;
* An application and contract must be negotiated and signed prior to the candidate commencing employment with you.

Skip the red tape with the NVIATS Wage Subsidy program!

Walk-In Program

The NVIATS Walk-In program is available to all First Nation peoples, status or non-status, on reserve or off, to access funds to return to school or employment. The program funds cover tuition and book fees, necessary safety gear to attend training, as well as a wage subsidy to assist with securing employment. The objective of the walk-in client program is to ensure that all First Nation people, regardless of their Band Registration area, have equal access to programs and services that are offered by NVIATS.

Eligibility Requirements
Any individual of First Nation decent will be eligible for assistance under this program, whether status, non-status, on reserve or off reserve, who resides in the areas between Cumberland to Port Hardy, Alert Bay and surrounding mainland area.

Program Guidelines:

Individuals participating in this process will have to meet with eligibility criteria, as noted above. If requesting financial assistance, the individuals may be required to provide documentation advising NVIATS that he/she has been refused funding from their Band Education Funds. If the individual cannot provide this, the counselor will contact their Band for the required information.

Services offered through the Walk-In Program:

Financial
- Assistance may be provided to an individual who is interested in attending a training program offered by a public or non-public institution; however, college and university degree programs will not be eligible for funding.
- Specific “non-degree” courses, which lead directly to employment, will be considered. Courses must be of an occupational nature and not academic.
- Financial assistance may be provided for course/tuition costs, books, supplies, and transportation costs.
- No capital costs or income support will be provided to an individual attending a training course.
- All financial assistance will be based in individual need and subject to negotiation by the individual and his/her counselor.
Employment Services

Our objective with the NVIATS Walk-In program is to provide employment services that help clients prepare for, find, and keep jobs, enhancing their employability through the following initiatives:
- Career and employment counselling
- Assisting clients develop and commit to an action plan
- Assisting clients find resources associated with academic upgrading and training
- Job search strategies
- Labour market information
With regards to on-the-job and work experience focused programs, assistance will be provided to individuals to secure employer placements and negotiate agreements with the perspective employer/s.

Client Assessment

Client needs are assessed on an individual basis and financial assistance will be negotiated between the individual and his/her counselor.

Factors determining eligibility include:
- Individual family income
- Educational History (i.e.: previous courses/training/funding)
- Course/training institution (i.e.:vmost economical choices)
- Labour market considerations
- Employability after course is complete
- Mobility / Accessibility
- Potential impact of the course with regard to long-term employment/career goals
- Other sources of funding available or secured
- Availability of NVIATS funds

BEST Program

This program is delivered in the NVIATS Campbell River office and provides eight weeks of employment skills development workshops and industry certified training. Upon completion, the participant will enter a 4-week work placement.

Access Programs Registration Form

ACCESS

NVIATS

offers a variety of programs to provide participants with:

Job readiness skills

Industry certification

Ongoing coaching and support

Opportunities for community partnerships

Funding assistance for training

Clothing and safety gear

Life skills and successful tenancy training

Wage subsidy opportunities